Travel Advisory Issued In Bucks County After Emergency Bridge Closure

A travel advisory for Bucks County residents using bridges into New Jersey has been issued due to the emergency closure of the Delaware River Bridge connecting the Pennsylvania Turnpike and New Jersey Turnpike.

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, in an updated alert issued Monday, is urging its Bucks and Mercer county bridge users to anticipate "heavy traffic volumes" and delays during Monday evening’s peak driving period — 3 to 7 p.m.

Congestion and delays are widespread on all area bridges since the Delaware River Bridge closed abruptly Friday, authorities say. The situation will only get worse during commuting hours, authorities with the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission said.

The agency is warning customers in Bucks County and Mercer County who regularly use the Trenton-Morrisville on Rt. 1 and the Scudder Falls on I-95 as well as the other three other lower-volume crossings to expect longer travel times.

The bridges include:

• Trenton-Morrisville (Route 1) Toll Bridge (southbound toll direction)
• Scudder Falls (I-95) Bridge (southbound)
• Lower Trenton (“Trenton Makes”) Toll-Supported Bridge (westbound)
• Calhoun Street Toll-Supported Bridge (westbound)
• Washington Crossing Toll-Supported Bridge (westbound)

"The Route 1 and I-95 crossings have encountered higher traffic volumes this weekend due to the emergency closure of the Delaware River Bridge connecting the Pennsylvania Turnpike and New Jersey Turnpike. Congestion and delays have been especially prevalent at the Route 29 exit ramp off Route 1 northbound immediately after the Trenton-Morrisville Toll Bridge," the Joint Toll Bridge Commission said in a statement.

The Delaware River Bridge was closed due to a fracture in one of the steel components, the PA Turnpike Commission announced Friday. The bridge was closed in both directions and will not be reopened until repairs are made.

It is currently unknown how long the repair will take, the Turnpike Commission said.

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons, public domain